The Greatest: Muhammad Ali

by Walter Dean Myers, John A. Cunliffe, J. D. Jackson (Narrator)

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." This was one of the most famous catch-phrases of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Rising from poverty-stricken Louisville in the 1950s, Ali became one of the world's greatest athletes. Beginning life as Cassius Clay, Ali would struggle against opponents both in and out of the ring.

Segregation and racism stood as obstacles in his path, but as he climbed the boxing ranks, his social conscience grew. He refused to be pigeonholed as a stereotypical black athlete in the 1960s and changed his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam. Fighting for social justice even as his brutal profession took its toll on his body and mind, his spirit was never defeated.

Best-selling author of the Coretta Scott King Honor book Monster, Walter Dean Myers pens this inspirational biography of a true champion. Acclaimed narrator J.D. Jackson adds the perfect voice to this triumphant true story.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, History, African American, Middle Grade, School

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

pseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson

Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.

After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.

Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.

In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.

Reviews

[Amr Mohamed · Rating 3 out of 5]

منذ فترة اريد قراءة عن محمد علي ليست عن مبارياته فقط ولكن عن ارائه لقضية السود او الافرومريكان والعنصرية التي تمارس ضدهم ورأيه وعدم انضمامه للجيش في حرب فيتنام والذي تسبب فى حرمانه من الملاكمة ..وعن طفولته وايضا كيفيه انضمامه لجماعة اليجا محمد خصوصا بعد قراءة مذكرات مالكوم اكس ولماذا لم ينسحب منها مثلما فعل صديقه مالكوم


ولكن جاء الكتاب مخيب للامال فمعظمه عن تفاصيل المباريات وجولات الملاكمة ووتكلم عن فكره وارائه في جزء بسيط جدا

اكثر مباراة احبها لمحمد علي عندما قابل الملاكم تيريل وهو لا يعترف باسم محمد علي وقال سوف اناديه فقط بكاسياس كلاي واخذ محمد علي يضربه في المباراة وهو يسأله ما اسمي ...ديييببب بوكس اسمي ايه يالا :)

لينك فيديو مباراة اسمي ايه

تقييمي 2.5

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my perspective I think that this book name The Greatest Muhammad Ali by Walter Dean Myers was a five star hit. I choose this book to be five stared hit because Walter Dean Myers showed a good passage on how Muhammad Ali has shows courage because it talks about how he never back down and was always brave. Also it concentrates on how Muhammad Ali shows no fear of his opponents and was never nervous. To me it shows that this book has great details and facts that you should never back down and how you can always fight back by being strong and having no fear even when cameras are in front of you seeing you do horrible in the ring. So Walter Dean Myers proves his point on how Muhammad Ali will never give up and will always try hard by working out and training. Books which shows great scenes and details that proves things to the point to have good opportunity for people to follow these steps to becoming brave and not running scared. So overall this book was fantastic by having evidence showing Muhammad Ali on how he is never going to back down and has life lessons to be learned.

[Sebastian]

I read this book for a biography project and i loved it.I liked how the author detailed Ali's life and struggles.This book talks about muhammad Ali and his journey to become the Greatest.I recommend this book to anyone who loves boxing and biographies.You will love it.

[Bridget's Quiet Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

Really good. Well written book about Muhammad Ali's life in boxing.

I am not a boxing fan but I do like Muhammad Ali a lot. Our beliefs are different but I learned to respect him for the man he is for his fight during the Civil Rights Movement and his fight against joining the army to fight in a war he didn't agree with (more to it than that I'm sure but that was the top reason I always heard him give when I listened to him speak on why he didn't want to be in the military). The fact he was willing to be a "representative" for his people/someone for them to look up to...I admired as well.

I wasn't born until 1974 so naturally I didn't grow up during the era he did (Jim Crow segregation, etc) but as I got older, especially my high school years and 20's, my love for learning about the C.R.M. was strong and something I need to get back into again...that's how Ali really became a part of being in my "line of vision" when it came to learning more about him. When I saw this book in the thrift store, I had to grab it not reading the summary. It wasn't until I started reading it that I realized it focuses mostly on his career...I didn't think I'd like it but was determined to get it finished and I'm glad I did. It taught me how the term "rope a dope" started and where "Thrilla is Manilla" came from. His wins, losses, etc. I can't say I know everything about boxing now, but I can say I know more than what I did before going into it.

I learned, a supposed racist, gave Ali a robe that he ended up putting "People's Champion" on the back of it! That supposed racist? Elvis Presley! Mind you, Ali was a Muslim by this point. So, for two people who were/are racist...why talk to each other? During a time it was acceptable for white men to be so? I've always liked Elvis' movies and never thought of him as racist. Did many have prejudices? Yes! But having a prejudice doesn't = racism. I think to a certain degree, we all do, even if we don't realize it or we fight against it. But, I'm off of that rant! :-)

This is another book that has opened my eyes to some things and I love this book for that reason. :-)

(There may be typos because I typed this on my Kindle. I may come to check for them later but I was just ready to get this review up while it was fresh on my mind)

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from my 4th grade teacher for being a smarty pants or something.. That was 7 years ago, and I just got around to reading it. I didn't know anything about boxing or Muhammad Ali before I opened this book, but by the end.. well I don't know veryyy much more, but I'm impressed by Ali now and he's very different then I thought at first. I have this weird obsession where I HAVE to read every book I own or check out from the library, no matter how disinterested in it I am. That usually doesn't work out too well, but I actually like this book. And if a teenage girl can be made interested in boxing in the course of a book, I'd say it's a pretty good book. :) I'd recommend it for any fan of boxing or Ali, or if your fourth grade teacher gave it to you 7 years ago.

For more of my babblings, please visit my blog, Snug Shelf

[Badiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the famous boxer Muhammad Ali. It talks about how successful Ali's career and how important boxing was to him. It also shows the reader how Ali never back down, he always had courage when it came to boxing.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy boxing, and want to learn more about Muhammad Ali. It would also be helpful to read this book, because no a lot of people know a lot about boxing and this would teach them a lot!

If i were to rate this book out of ten, i would give it a six. It is an average book, and a typical biography of an athlete.

[Sean Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING! I like this book because there are stuff about Muhammad Ali in this book that I didnt know about. Another thing is it shows his Timeline. Also it starts off by his childhood and it starts building up to when he is older. It shows who where his trainers starting from the beginning and know to the top. His life was pretty cool, how he developing to be the greatest he is when he was undefeated.

[Yael Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my English class i had to read i biography so i chose Muhammad Ali. It was a good book as a biography but since that isn't my type i disliked the book.The only action in book is when the author talks about the fights he had ,it feels as if you were there watching the fight.If you are looking to know more about Muhammad Ali i recommend this book.

[Rania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this man :)

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ali saeed
Q.6
block 2

I will definitely recommend this book not just to my friends, but to everyone I know. The book is a bibliography about Muhammad Ali who is known as the greatest boxer of all time. This book is full details and objective information about Ali’s life inside the boxing ring as well as outside. There is a lot of action inside the ring and a lot of drama outside it, which make this book very enjoyable even if the reader is not a fan of boxing. This book is full inspiration, motivation and surprises because most people know Muhammad Ali just as a great, but there is way more about Muhammad Ali than boxing because he was one of those few unique people who were able to change the world. The book talked about Ali’s struggles to get to top and how did he become the greatest of all time. Ali’s personality made people fall in love with him and his style “Flow like butterfly and sting like a bee” Ali’s famous quote.

The book shows the deep truth about Muhammad Ali and show another side of him. When people think of Ali, they just think of boxing ,but Ali is more than that, he is a sportsman and civil rights champion, received the medal at a ceremony honoring his life as part of a nationwide celebration of the US Constitution's 225th anniversary. Most people do not know that Muhammad Ali had a very strong friendship with Malcolm X ,he was able to convert Muhammad Ali from Christianity to Islam ,and there is even more information about Muhammad Ali fighting for civil right with Malcolm X .

This book not just for people who likes boxing ,but for everyone who is interesting in reading about legend who changed the world .This book will make you realize how great was Muhammad Ali and how he changed the world through fearless attitude and very outgoing personality and that is why I recommend this because it is worth reading. Reading this great this book will teach honor ,pride ,dedication and most importantly individuality “ am a champion, but am not champion that you want me to be ,am the champion that I want to be” (Muhammad Ali pg76).

Ali believed that he can become that greatest of all time and change the world and so he worked for it until he made it, the book shows the reader Ali’s work ethic and motivates to work hard for your dreams and goals. . He believed in himself when everyone doubted him .Ali was not a follower , but he was an individual leader and of kind and because of that ,people loved him. One interesting fact that I learned from reading this book ,that Ali first started boxing at the age of twelve, when his bike got stolen ,and the a guy who stole his bike beat him up very badly ,and so he started boxing to learn how to fight and get his bike back.

This book should be recommended to those who likes excitement, drama and great morals like individuality and confidence “I know where I’m going and I know the truth ,and I don’t have to be what you want me to be because am free to be what I want”(Mohammed Ali pg102).Muhammad Ali is one of the greatest human being who lived in this world and people should know more about him.

[Philippe Bartholomee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muhammad Ali The Greatest: Review



“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” was Muhammad Ali’s most famous quote. Ali was one of the greatest boxers to ever live. He “killed” other fighters with his punches, and left them with the feeling that they didn’t know how to fight by the end of the match.
Growing up in Harlem, but originally from Louisville, Kentucky, no one would ever know that this man would ever become “The Greatest” of them all.  “I’m not the greatest; I’m the double greatest”, Ali would say. “Not only do I knock ‘em out, I pick the round that I want to knock them out.”  Muhammad Ali bragged.
In the 1960 Summer Olympics, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) won the gold medal in boxing. Throughout his life, Ali faced a lot of violence because his religion wouldn’t let him go into the army. Ali changed his name, due to the fact that he didn’t want to go into the army. After that he changed his religion and became a Muslim. He became a star but he had failed relationships, with his only child.
I like this book about Ali, because it gives me a better understanding into his life, and gives more knowledge about sports history with African Americans. His courage to take on any challenge is what gets me interested. For example, there were many people who doubted Ali vs. Sonny Liston. Some people wanted him to lose not because they didn’t like him but because of what he stood for. When fight night came around Ali was ready to step foot back into the ring. Ali became an intimidator, and when the fight had started Ali used special skills against Sonny. He punched and moved each time. Sonny tried to punch Ali, but missed Ali. Sonny tried to get Ali against the ropes but Ali countered the attack and then bam! A huge down punch Ali landed on Liston that put him on his back. “Get up and fight, sucker!” Ali had won the fight, it was all over for Sonny. The one they had once doubted, was now back into BEAST mode.
Although this book has a lot of fighting, it is a very good read. If you want a good book that isn't too long and you like boxing, this book is for you. I recommend this book to all kinds of readers and ages.

[Louis Monem]

I highly enjoyed reading this book. The reason being that I am interested in boxing, I love watching it and I like to learn about the boxers and what they went through. This book talks about how Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) started as a boxer. He grew up in Harlem, but he was from Louisville, Kentucky. No one believed in him because people thought that he was just another ordinary boxer. When he had his first big fight against Sonny Liston he was very nervous. Before he went out and started the fight he was shaking, he was bouncing around everywhere nervously. Then the fight started, Sonny Liston tried to punch Muhammad Ali but Muhammad Ali was way to fast during the whole match Sonny Liston was only able to hit Muhammad Ali. Sonny tried to punch Ali but Ali was to quick, Sonny Tried to put Ali in a corner but was unable then all of a sudden Ali punched Sonny and down he went, he got knocked out. Ali won that match with flying colors. Muhammad Ali used to say to himself a very important quote before every match the quote was "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Muhammad was the greatest all the boxers would try to punch him but he was to quick but once Ali punched someone they would get knocked out immediately. Muhammad Ali won the gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. Muhammad Ali changed his religion so he would not have to go to the army and he also changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali because he was a muslim. Even though he was very famous and was the best he did not have a good relationship with his son. I enjoyed this book a lot because it motivated me to do more, even when people were telling him you cant do it, you will die in the ring he still continued and never gave up.

[Osmar Mejicanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one to read it’s a great biography about Muhammad Ali and the struggle he had being raised in the segregated south, to his current fight with Parkinson’s disease. The book makes you feel like if you were on the bench watching his every fight’s from Archie Moore to Joe Frazier and every boxer in-between. Muhammad Ali was one of the youngest African American boxers in the early 1950’s. He had won lots of awards like the golden gloves and the Olympic gold medal in 1960 and 1964. The author wrote the book so you could experience Muhammad’s trials. I believe another reason Walter Myers wrote the book was to prove a point to those that have negative attitudes toward everything in life, but to make sure that your head is held high without fear of the unknown and to seek answers because of your curiosity.I feel the books main idea was to find the courage to do something that everyone is afraid to do. The book explains that he never gave up and always continued forward no matter how big the obstacle he faced was. He feared nothing, because he always told himself that no one was going to take his dream of becoming the greatest boxer that ever lived. He also said “Every living being was born to accomplish a certain purpose, and it is the knowing of the purpose that enables every soul to fulfill it”. Muhammad with no doubt was an inspirational person that loved being looked at with respect. He fulfilled this when he took on better, faster, stronger,and more experienced fighters to prove that he did belong in the ring. Muhammad is and will always be The Greatest and nobody will ever take that from him.

[Aaron.F DWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because it was recommended by one of my pals, Noah, and he wouldn't stop bugging me about it so I eventually started reading it. I found the the first few chapters quite boring, but then all books are boring at the start so I continued reading and as I progressed my eyes were glued onto the book. The story of Muhammad Ali is very inspirational; growing up in Harlem, he faced a lot of violence in his younger days and a lot of racism. His courage to take on any challenge is what gets me out of my seat.Knowing that this man went to jail for his beliefs and still came back a champion. one of my favorite quotes from the book "Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong". This is true and its something people around the world need to learn, its wrong to be racist and its a pathway to war. Muhammad Ali is not only my favorite character in the book but one of my idols, he called himself "The Greatest" even before he started boxing, and its his determination that gets me and inspires me, he never gave up from the start despite the racism, despite his background despite the odds against him. Muhammad Ali is the greatest boxer of all time and includes humor in the book with his cockiness. I like this book about Muhammad Ali, because it gives me a better insight into his life, and gives more depth into the eyes of a true champion. It taught me a lot of values and advice to succeed in anything, the book just shows that "what you put in, is what you get out" I recommend this to everybody, even to the people that don't enjoy reading, and to all the sport lovers.

[Noah Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational, influential public figure... Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay). This is an autobiography about the trials and triumphs of a young African American striving to become the greatest boxer during the peak of the civil rights era.

This book was recommended to me by my dad, he said it was a ''must read''... i was immediately sucked into the world of boxing as i read the first 2 chapters. I found it exciting and couldn't take my eyes off the book for a long time... i am not much of a reader myself but i thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. In the book it is said that to be able to succeed you have to believe in yourself, i find this quote very relatable for it is what i hear from the mouths of my parents and sporting coaches. My favorite part of this book is at the very start, when it explains how Ali found his boxing passion. I also find the fighting moments a thrill to read. I learnt a lot from this book, firstly to always stand up for what you believe in! secondly to be someone different, stand out, and thirdly to never stop chasing your dreams, for one day they will become reality. By far my favorite person in this book is muhammad Ali, because he is an individual who is influential, fearless, smart and most of all he is a icon of boxing. All and all this book has been a pleasure to read and i recommend it to anyone who is interested in books that include great action, true events and continuous excitement. A story of a boxer. A story of the Greatest.

¬alibomaye¬

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a legendary man who as a kid wanted to become a boxer. He followed his dream of becoming a boxer;However, there were some bump on this road. For example, he had to change his name, suffer the death of Martin Luther king Jr. and Malcolm x who were his 2 greatest role models and suffer from Parkinson disease. This man's name is Muhammad Ali. One of the other characters in this book was a policeman who taught Ali how to box when he was 7. he taught him how to box because someone stole Ali's new bike and he wanted to beat him down. The settings of this book are Philadelphia, new york, phillipeans and many other places where Ali boxed.


I would give this book a text to world connection. One thing that has been done in this book that has been done in this world was that segregation was still going on and many civil rights activists were trying to stop racism. An external conflict Ali had was that he said at the Army Induction in Houston TX, he refused to fight in Vietnam because he thought that boxing was a better career. The internal conflict is him thinking about all the boos he got from throngs in the arenas because of his actions at the Induction.


The rating I would give this book is 5 out of 5. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes boxing and to people who think Ali really is THE GREATEST".(Ali is one of the most influential people of our time.)

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Greatest
The Greatest is a book on Cassius Clay. This Is a great book, because it has terrific information and details. This book told me a lot of things I didn’t know before about Muhammed Ali.
I would recommend this book to people who like boxing, because it has great details about Muhammed Ali. It fills you in on great facts you didn’t know before about Muhammed Ali. It keeps you in it, because it has something exciting or you something you didn’t know on almost every page.
I wouldn’t recommend this to people who sit at home and play video games all day, because it doesn’t have cheat codes or anything like that. I also wouldn’t recommend it to those people, because it doesn’t have any nerdy things like pokemon and things like that.
My overall opinion of the book is that it’s a great book. It has awesome details and covers all of his life. I give it four out of five.
This is a great book for sports fans and maybe people who wouldn’t like it change their minds after reading this.

[Matt]

I read the book called Muhammad Ali The Greatest by Walter Dean Myers. This book was about how Muhammad Ali one of the greatest boxers of today and history came to be. It talks about his reach and quickness to hit the opponent hard and fast. In this Muhammad Ali winning the gold medal in the Olympics in 1960. But it was hard for Muhammad Ali to get all of this because he had to go through all the racial discrimination during his time.

Overall Walter Dean Myers did and excellent and superb job on this book. He described Muhammad Ali with a very clear explanation. I learned that you can get through things because he had to get through all of racial discrimination. I also loved Muhammad Ali’s quote “Float like butterfly, sting like a bee.”

I would give this book a 4 out of 5. The reason why I loved this book so much is because this is about my favorite boxer ever. Also the writing was amazing filled with so much words. I think this would be a good read to anyone that knows boxing and likes a good biography once and awhile.

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this biography of Muhammad Ali was written for young adults, I think it is one of the best accounts of Ali's life that I have ever read. Walter Dean Myers is the author of dozens of YA novels and stories. He is an amazingly talented, versatile writer of both fiction and non fiction and he knows black America intimately. He puts Ali's life in perspective, bringing in discussions of Civil Rights, Vietnam, and the Sixties, along with clear descriptions of basic boxing strategies and tactics.

This is an outstanding sports book for young and old readers, and a great introduction to the era of Ali as well as Ali the man.

[Jeff Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is mainly about the life of Muhammad Ali. From his amateur fights as Cassius Clay to an Olympic gold medal and later to the world title all the way to his battle with Parkinson's disease. This book talks about his controversial ties to the Nation of Islam which led him to change his name. If you know who Muhammad Ali was, a fan of Ali's or are a fan of boxing, this book is for you. It is a great way to remember "The Greatest".

[Jill Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what I really loved? Walter's introduction at the beginning because it was powerful and fluid. The distance that informational text sometimes has was also present in this book, and I enjoyed learning the info but didn't connect as much to the rest of the text.

[Joeben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muhammad Ali wants the title. He wants it so bad. So he does. But not only did he become the heavy weight once but three times. Then he got Parkinson's.

[William Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Greatest: Muhammad Ali by Walter Dean Myers. I've always heard of Muhammad Ali and have heard he was the greatest boxer to ever live but never really knew about him. This book taught me about Muhammad Ali's interesting, hard, sometimes awful and sometimes incredible life. And it was a teaching of his life from before he was even fighting, to at the end him being retired and the undoubtedly greatest boxer of all time. From this story of his life I learned Ali was not just the greatest boxer of all time but was one of the greatest humans of all time. Walter Dean Myers talks about how he was "always a man of outstanding character" (Dean Myers 159). And how he started the "black is beautiful" movement fighting for social justice and equality for all. I loved learning how he started from a small weak hitting kid to getting better and better and becoming a hard working, fierce, role model to all and the greatest to ever step in the ring. I definitely recommend this book for all who want to learn on the greatest boxer ever Muhammad Ali.

[Matteo Calvanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Muhammad Ali the greatest by Walter Dean Myers is a fantastic read. I gave this book five stars not even having to think about it. I learned many things from the book that I can use as inspiration in life. Ali didn't have a speck of fear in his body. He was relentless and backing down wasn't an option for him at any point in his life. Nothing could stop him, not even the segregation during the time could get in his way. Ali shows us if you believe in yourself and have unlimited self confidence, that the sky is the limit. This is the reason Muhammad Ali (The Greatest) is the greatest boxer of all time. I recommend this book if you want to learn about Muhammad Ali or want to about what it takes to be a boxer. This book was a very nice smooth read.

[Dalen Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this book due to needing a biography to do a book report on. Though soon through reading this book, I became very interested in the life of Muhammand Ali. I knew very little about him prior to reading this book, but learned more about him because of it; along with learning more about boxing which I had not known a lot about. I found the most interesting parts of this book the parts that did not relate to his boxing career, but the other aspects of his life. I pleasantly enjoyed reading throughout the parts of his life. Though the boxing was also very interesting seeing as I know nothing of the sport. I would give this book a 4 out of 5 only because I do not personally enjoy biographies, but I enjoyed reading about Muhammand Ali, and the author was very good at making it interesting.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I wasn’t going to Louisville, KY for a librarian conference, I might never have read this book about that city’s greatest hero. Muhammad Ali’s legacy in the ring and off as a fighter for racial justice is one of the greatest stories in sports. Raised in the segregated South, his mantra that “Black is beautiful” was transformative in the fight for Black liberation.

To have his story told by one of the greatest young adult authors, Walter Dean Myers, makes this a top-notch biography.

Highly recommended for readers grades 6-9 and every librarian visiting Louisville.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Walter Dean Myers. He could write about paint drying, and I would still probably give it at least 3 stars. He does a great job potraying the life of Ali to young audiences without dumbing down the content and themes.

[Ali Al Najafi]

It give a deep briefing about muhammad ali to the the day he was born till the day he dies.

[Jenna Idenward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, engaging, sports nonfiction with larger social commentary written by Walter Dean Myers? I'm in.

It's staggering to read about the '60s from the vantage point of 2017. Myers explains the climate with chilling parallels: "The [Vietnam] peace moment had its detractors. To those Americans not used to questioning what their government did, protesting the war was close to treason. To others, the idea that blacks were no longer willing to accept second-class citizenship was a symbol of social decline" (56).

[Zak Mouslmani · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Float like a butterfly sting like a bee." This quote came from the worlds best known boxer, Mohammed Ali. His punches and jabs were lights out for anyone who stood in his way trying to take away his championship belt. But he was not always like this, big and able to take on anyone who is challenging him.

He grew up in Harlem but is originally from Kentucky. No one would have ever guessed he would be the one to grow up to be a star amongst other people. He was small and skinny, couldn't fend for himself. But I guess this all changed. Maybe he could make something out of his life, like everyone has the chance to, but he became the greatest, as said by him. "I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round." Muhammed Ali, or Cassius Clay, faced a lot of troubles growing up in such a dangerous city. He faced everyday troubles such as racism, politics, and religion. I like to think that these troubles are the reason he has become the man he is today. He became a star in the public through his failed relationships, and the relations of his only child. Cassius changed his name to Ali, with intentions of not going into the army, also because he changed his religion to Islam. After this he spent several years in prison.

I liked this book because it gave me a better depth of the real life of one of these athletes, how they grew up, and what shaped them to become the people they are today. I found the way his life was shaped very interesting. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time, knowing that he had the courage to keep stepping up to the plate and striking out, but he kept coming back and eventually hitting a home run (metaphorically speaking). This man, Muhammad Ali, had true courage and is the reason why he is where he is today. Another reason why he stood up to me is because of his religion. Not only because we are both muslim, but he fought for the right to be muslim, to be any religion. We shouldn't discriminate because someone is of a certain religion, we are all equal. And I understand his pain as sometimes in America there are teenagers who don't think the same thing. And I have spoken to these teenagers, and what they have been taught or what they think can hurt. But Ali stood up for himself and Islam, and converted, though he went to jail I still believe he sent a powerful message. He has always learned how to come back from a fight, and will continue to do so.

I would recommend this book to all kinds of readers, especially if you are into boxing. The author, Walter D. Myers writes the boxing scenes as if you have a front seat watching it for yourself, a sort of movie goes on in your head. "...the kind of universal story that needs writer as talented as Myers to retell it for every generation." - Kirkus, pointed review. The events of Muhammed Ali's life helped to fuel the civil rights movement as well. So not only is he a good boxer, but a good person.